Community leaders Nancy Gardner and Michelle Fulks are spearheading an effort to overhaul the San Diego Police Department’s Northern Division substation in Pacific Beach, which serves police officers in the La Jolla and Mission Bay areas.

“This facility is horrible,” said Fulks, who introduced the project to trustees at the La Jolla Community Planning Association’s Oct. 4 meeting. “The best adjective to describe it is ‘gross.’ The two bathrooms are falling apart, [and] there’s nothing that works properly.”

Fulks praised the local police officers for keeping the community safe, as well as reaching out to the community groups to understand residents’ primary safety concerns.

“The police department really does a great job of supporting all of us. Their lines of communication are open with all the different groups,” she said. “It’s just a shame that the police officers have these conditions to work in.”

La Jolla Town Council trustee Nancy Gardner echoed Fulks’ praise of the local police’s efforts and the storefront’s dire need for repair.

“The police substation is used by the La Jolla and Pacific Beach teams so they don’t waste all that time going up to University City when they need to do paperwork,” she said. “We all believe that these men and women keep us safe, and it’s critical that we give back to them.”

Gardner said there has been an outpouring of support from local companies and groups, including Dewhurst & Associates construction, Sherwin Williams, Cole’s Fine Flooring, La Jolla and Pacific Beach rotaries, the La Jolla Real Estate Brokers Association (REBA) and other individual members and companies who have committed their time, talents or materials for the renovation of the facility.

Construction is expected to take no longer than one week; however, funds for the project must be collected before volunteers can take action on the project. Organizers are still seeking about $35,000 for the much-needed repairs.

Checks made payable to the San Diego Police Officer’s Association (SDPOA), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, can be sent to: SDPOA at 5666 La Jolla Blvd. #168, La Jolla, 92037. All donations are tax deductible and plaques will be designated at the end of the project to recognize the donors.